A knock came through his door, as he flipped through the book he was reading. He remained seated, unhinged.
" Who is that ?"He asked, not wanting to be disturbed.
It was his guard
" Cole, Your highness",
" Come in ", he ordered, picking up the quill and inking it before he began scribbling with it on the scroll laid before him. He was interpreting the book which was written in Portugal into the scroll. The book was about Agriculture. He demarcated the scroll with a thin line, before commencing with his writing.
" What is it Cole? ", He asked immediately as he walked through the door.
He wasn't in his best mood, not that he was always in a good mood, but he doesn't want to talk to anyone currently.
" Sorry to disturb you, your highness, but the envoy from Badrith has arrived ", he announced.
" Where are they now? " ,He asked calmly, not taking his gaze away from the book.
" At the palace gate. ",
He continued writing, careful enough not to spill ink on his work.
"Take them to the courtroom. I'll be there ", he ordered, his tone stoic.
" On it your highness", he was about to walk out through the door when the king's voice called him back.
" And get Sabrina ready. I want her there.",
" Yes your highness", he gave a last bow and went to carry out his orders.
Damon made sure he was done with that particular scroll before he made a move.
He changed into his royal attire, and walked down to the courtroom. His other guards followed behind.
"THE KING HAS ARRIVED", one of his guards announced his presence, the courtroom door opened wide for the king's entrance.
They ceased all talking and rose to their feet as the king strode inside, his powerful kingly aura surrounding him like a cloak.
Everyone stood until he was seated on his throne.
His gaze roamed around the room subtly, there was no sign of the princess and Cole.
She better be here or he will have her punished. He will be more than happy to do so .
" Greetings, your majesty. Congratulations on your coronation. King Judrith conveyed his congratulations", the envoy, Lord Riverdale, the minister for war, said.
Damon stared at the old man bowed before him, rage surged through him. Bunch of hypocrites!
He ignored him, not acknowledging his words. Flustered, the man raised his head.
The door opened, the princess and Cole entered. Dressed in a simple plain gown, her hair neatly combed down her shoulders. Even in ragged clothings and free of her princess adornments, she looked outstanding regardless.
" I'm glad our princess is doing fine here ", Riverdale pointed, his head slightly inclined in acknowledgment of the princess' arrival.
Sabrina bit back a whimper, she threw a subtle glare to the king.
"I don't have much time to squander Riverdale", Damon growled, glaring openly at the envoy.
" Apologies, your highness. "
" How many of my people have returned?", He asked, cutting to the chase.
" A total of two hundred and fifty six your highness", Riverdale replied.
" Three hundred and thirty seven was reported to be enslaved", king Damon countered.
" That is correct your highness"
Damon frown deepened, he stared at the minister questionably. The minister blinked, avoiding his gaze.
" Speak! ", Damon ordered.
Riverdale cleared his throat, anxiousness written all over him.
"Sixty nine of them died, while the rest were reported missing", he revealed.
The courtroom went silent, the minister's words hanging in the air.
Damon jaw clenched, they had been in slavery for more than two decades, not all of his people enslaved could make it.
Some were already aged and old, judrith didn't care then. He never cared
" The tributes ?"Damon asked, his gaze colder now.
" Five hundred sacks of grains, two hundred heads of cattle , fifty kilograms of silver, one hundred kilograms of gold, two hundred high quality ceramics and fifty archers, Your highness ", Riverdale stated.
Sabrina's eyes widened in shock, all of that was taken from her kingdom? She glanced at the king discreetly, his expression remained blank and unreadable as usual.
He really planned on running them over.
According to the law and custom of the kingdoms in England, tribute will be delivered to him every six to eight months.
If it go on like this, in no time, nothing will become of Badrith.
" Check it out Cole. Thoroughly"
" Yes your highness", Cole bowed and marched out of the courtroom to see for the king.
" The land in okhio was on the list, Riverdale", the king stated matter-of-factly, his gaze pinned on the aged man before him.
"Yes, your highness. But that land has been passed down across each succeeding king of Badrith. The land is the royal heirloom",
A tense uncomfortable silence descended. The silence stretched.
Sabrina subtly roved her gaze across the courtroom to the king's face, he looked enraged and savage.
" Lord Riverdale", Damon called in a low deadly tone.
" Y– your highness"
"The land in okhio was on the list or not?"
" It was, your highness. But king Judrith had refused to give up that land. Moreover, your highness has the princess"
Everywhere stilled, and the silence stretched.
Damon rose from his throne, and started close to Lord Riverdale.
Sabrina eyed him closely, trying to scrutinize what was on his mind, but the man was as stoic as ever.
His expression remained blank, but she could tell the rage that radiated from him.
Was he ever not angry?
Damon stared at Riverdale, then he began in a low but authoritative cold voice that sent a chill down the spine of every occupants in the room
"I want the land in okhio, and Judrith shall give it to me. The princess belongs to me now and she is NOT part of the Tribute. She is MINE, my property. My hostage. And she will be no leverage for that land, Riverdale. I WANT THAT LAND '"
Everywhere stilled, a deafening silence followed.
With that, he started towards the door and walked right through it in his measured majestic stride, his face cold and savage.
Sabrina gulped in fear, that man is very dangerous. savage.
" My lady ", she didn't know when Lord Riverdale got to her . She was so lost in thoughts.
"Lord Riverdale", she managed a small smile.
" How are you my lady? I hope you are being treated well here ?"
She frowned," I need to get out of here lord Riverdale", she whispered.
The man subtly roamed his eyes around the room, checking if no one was watching them.
" I know your highness. His majesty is trying to. Has he done anything to you?", He whispered back.
She gulped, going silent.
" That bastard! ", Lord Riverdale gritted, he could tell something happened from her expression.
"I need to leave here. I can't stay here longer"
" His majesty can do nothing, Zandia has taken over the court "
" Heavens ", she breathed in exasperation.
" So I can't leave?"
He blinked and stepped closer to her, he snuggled something into her hand
" What is this?", She whispered, alarmed. Her pulse racing.
"Save Badrith your highness", he said firmly, immediately putting a distance between them as if nothing had happened.
" It is nice seeing you again, your highness", he inclined his head slightly and walked away.
Just then, Cole appeared . " Princess", he called.
It was time for her to get back to her room. More like, her prison.
Sabrina squeezed her palm into a fist, her heart racing across her chest . She roamed her gaze around checking if anyone had seen them .
Satisfied, she spun on her heels and followed Cole out of the courtroom.